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Out in the Vortex: Abrahm DeVine and the Fight for Queer Athletes

In the hyper-competitive world of collegiate and professional swimming, as in many sports, queer representation remains significantly lacking or tied to corporate profits. Despite the proliferation of rainbow swimsuits and universities' endless claims of commitment to diversity, queer athletes often navigate the realities behind the media facade alone. For Abrahm DeVine, his journey to becoming the fastest openly gay American swimmer involved far more than speed and skill, but conflict and trauma. His story, now being brought to life through an upcoming film, serves as a powerful testament to the challenges and triumphs of queer athletes in an often hostile environment.





Coming Out in the Spotlight

Abrahm DeVine's decision to come out as gay was a watershed moment not just for him but for the entire sports community. As an elite athlete at Stanford University, DeVine faced immense pressure both in and out of the pool. His coming out was met with support from many quarters, but it also exposed him to the deeply ingrained homophobia within the institution and the broader swimming world.

Explicitly homophobic slurs in team members' conversations made DeVine hesitate about coming out during his junior year. Team members often appealed to masculine stereotypes to motivate swimmers, mocking topics such as fragility and privilege as concerns of social justice warriors. Before coming out publicly, DeVine sought help from one of his coaches, who referred him to a gay Stanford alumnus. However, this former swimmer outed DeVine to the team without his consent.

Despite his record-breaking performances and dedication to the sport, DeVine encountered a barrage of discrimination that eventually led to his departure from competitive swimming. His journey underscores the stark reality that even the most talented athletes can be sidelined by prejudice.




Isolation and Confrontation

After being outed to his team, DeVine began to feel increasingly isolated from the macho culture of athletes, experiencing a more evident dissonance with his current life. Later on, DeVine was kicked off the Stanford team for confronting a coach's homophobic remarks, thus postponing his graduation and complicating his training for the Olympics, whereas his claims to Title IX and Athletics officers were dismissed and not investigated. Instead, he was accused of "behavior issues" and sent to therapy.

Moreover, after publicly denouncing the homophobic behavior he faced intense criticism, silence from his sponsors, and fear of retaliation from both USA Swimming and Stanford Athletics. In response, Stanford coaches issued a statement denying the accusations and avoiding any explanation for their decision, effectively sweeping the critique of institutional homophobia under the rug. Even coming from the same team as infamous rapist Brock Turner, DeVine who was previously praised by the institution and awarded Stanford's Student-Athlete of the Year, was now unable to speak about a macho and homophobic team culture surrounding him.



Struggle for Justice and Redemption

Before graduating from Stanford, DeVine joined the Elite Team in San Diego to continue training for the Olympics. However, during the Olympic Trials, he was disqualified for a technical error in a flip turn while winning his race and about to qualify for the finals. Notably, any other disqualification of a high-level swimmer in that competition was overturned[1][2][3], leaving many to suspect that his disqualification was a result of two years of speaking openly and reporting two of the Olympic coaches for homophobia.



A Story of Love and Resilience

After the Olympic season, DeVine eschewed the pool and moved to San Francisco to work in a gay bar in search of queer community. Now, he returns to the pool to teach other people, including his boyfriend, how to swim. The interaction with water remains a signifier of love and freedom, as an ability that will never go away.

The film seeks to portray that positive affect: love, as something that surpasses achievements and defies discrimination. Through this cinematic endeavor, DeVine hopes to inspire other queer athletes to be critical of their positionality in order to maintain their pride.

This film is not a personal catharsis for DeVine; it is a call to action. In a time when attacks on trans and other queer athletes such as Lia Thomas are increasing, it is crucial to speak out and advocate for a more equitable and inclusive sports environment. DeVine’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up against injustice.



Connecting with Queer Archiving

The production of this film aligns with my passion for queer archiving, a theme that has been central to my cinematographic exploration in films such as "Sexile" and "Villa Rosa." Documenting and preserving the stories of queer individuals is vital for creating a more inclusive historical record and for providing representation to those who have long been marginalized. Through this film, DeVine’s journey will be archived not just as a personal story of resilience but as a crucial chapter in the broader narrative of LGBTQ+ athletes fighting for equality.

DeVine’s bravery has already made waves beyond the swimming lanes. His openness and advocacy have started important conversations about the need for systemic change in sports institutions. By highlighting his struggles and triumphs, the film seeks to challenge the status quo and push for policies that protect and support all athletes, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is also a film about queer affect, told from the perspective of his act of teaching me how to swim.

Out in the Vortex will provide an opportunity for audiences to engage with the realities faced by athletes like DeVine and to understand the broader implications of discrimination in sports. More importantly, it offers hope and validation to young queer athletes who might be grappling with their identities and the fear of acceptance.




DeVine's resilience not only paves the way for future generations of queer athletes but also serves as a powerful reminder that change is possible when we dare to live our truth and fight for a fairer, more inclusive world.

In the end, Abrahm DeVine’s story is about more than just swimming. It is about passion, the quest for equality, and the courage to be oneself. Through this film, we are invited to witness his journey, celebrate his victories, and join him in advocating for a sports world where everyone, regardless of their identity, can compete and thrive without fear of discrimination.

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© 2020 by Lázaro González (lazarogonzalezfilms). 

San Francisco, California, USA.

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